Mali faces security crisis after minister killed and key northern town captured by rebels
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Mali's military rulers are confronting a security crisis following coordinated nationwide attacks by jihadist fighters and separatist rebels. These attacks resulted in the death of the defense minister and the reported capture of a key northern town by rebels. There has been no public statement or sighting of junta leader General Assimi Goita since the offensive began. The synchronized attacks by the Azawad Liberation Front coalition and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims targeted multiple areas across the country. Analysts consider these attacks the most significant challenge to Mali's rulers since the March 2012 offensive. Defense Minister Sadio Camara, along with his second wife and two grandchildren, died in a car bomb attack on his home in Kati. A government statement confirmed Camara's death while fighting attackers and announced a national funeral. Fighting continued in several areas, including Kati, Kidal, Gao, and Sevare. Tuareg rebels claimed Kidal was "totally" under their control after an agreement allowing Russian Africa Corps forces to withdraw. The FLA also stated it had taken positions in the Gao region. These attacks are the worst since the junta seized power in 2020. The international airport near Bamako resumed operations after heavy fighting. The opposition Coalition of Forces for the Republic stated that Mali is "in danger." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence and called for international support. The European Union al
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Abdulsamad Jamiu, a National Youth Service Corps member, was killed in a crossfire during a gun battle between soldiers and suspected armed robbers in the Dei-Dei area of Abuja. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the Shagari Estate area. According to Nigerian Army spokesperson Odunola Olawuyi, troops from the Army’s Quick Response Group were on routine night patrol when they responded to a distress call about an armed robbery. Upon arrival, the troops encountered gunfire from fleeing suspects, leading to an exchange during which Jamiu was caught in the crossfire. The Guards Brigade expressed deep regret over the loss and extended condolences to the family, the National Youth Service Corps, and those affected. The army stated that the situation was volatile as troops worked to repel attackers and protect residents. Jamiu's remains were taken to Kubwa General Hospital. An investigation has commenced, and findings will be made public. The Guards Brigade affirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory. Residents were urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies. The Nigerian Armed Forces Diary, a platform documenting military activities, condemned the incident on Facebook, calling for an immediate investigation and justice for Jamiu, who they stated was killed in his room. This incident follows another report on April 23 of a different NYSC member, Ben Agir, allegedly beaten to death by a vigilante group
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has reported the interception of 10,000 captagon pills in Kwara State. This seizure marks the second time the stimulant drug, widely abused in the Middle East and linked to funding criminal groups, has been found in Africa by the NDLEA, the first being five years ago at Apapa Port. The latest interception occurred on April 21, 2026, along Bode Saadu Road, Kwara State, where operatives recovered the pills from a passenger, Nasiru Mu’azu, 33, along with Tapentadol. In a separate operation at the same location on April 24, 2026, 155,900 capsules of tramadol, 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection, 3,000 tablets of co-codamol, and 9,000 tablets of bromazepam were found concealed in a trailer, leading to the arrest of Aminu Isah, 24. Other significant seizures include 1.043 kilograms of cocaine ingested by Eze Prince Emeka, 33, in Oyo State; 1,196,000 pills of pharmaceutical opioids in Edo State with the arrest of Osagie Igbinibo, 43, and Omijie Malik, 44; 810 kilograms of Arizona cannabis in Lagos with the arrest of Rasheed Ibuowo, 40; 154.5 kilograms of skunk in Bauchi State with the arrest of Muktar Bello, 35; and 466.8 kilograms of skunk in Ekiti State from Layit John Matthew, 56. Additionally, 20,000 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on farmlands in Cross River State, and 394 improvised explosive device components were seized in Niger State from Mohammed Aliyu, 26. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mo
Several political factions, including segments of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, African Democratic Congress ADC, Accord Party, and Labour Party, have disavowed the recent Ibadan opposition summit, stating it does not reflect their official positions. These groups reiterated their intentions to independently field candidates against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The PDP National Working Committee, supported by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, claimed that prominent opposition figures were misled by "impostors" who organized the summit. Both factions of the ADC, led by Kingsley Ogga and Nafiu Gombe, denied involvement, while the Accord Party threatened legal action for unauthorized use of its name. The Labour Party's Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, also distanced her party from the summit's agreement to present a single presidential candidate. In response, the All Progressives Congress APC criticized the opposition's actions and condemned Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's remarks about "Operation Wetie" during the summit, calling them inciting. The Wike-backed PDP also criticized Governor Makinde's "Operation Wetie" comments. Conversely, the Turaki-led PDP defended Makinde's statements as a caution to the Federal Government regarding potential crises.
Must ReadThe Lagos State Government has formalized three Power Purchase Agreements with Independent Power Producers: Fenchurch Power, Mainland Power, and Viathan Engineering Limited. These agreements aim to expand embedded electricity generation and improve power supply to critical state infrastructure. The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, stated that these agreements represent a restructuring of Lagos’ embedded power system. Fenchurch Power will support major water facilities in Adiyan and Iju, Mainland Power will continue serving Ikeja, Oshodi, and Anthony with plans for expansion, and Viathan Engineering Limited will maintain stable power supply to key facilities on Lagos Island. The new framework eliminates legacy payment structures like "take or pay" and "deemed energy," ensuring payments are tied to metered supplies and actual delivery. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasized that these revised contracts reflect a stronger focus on accountability and efficiency in public spending, aiming to provide more reliable power for public infrastructure and better use of state resources. The state expects a significant increase in generation capacity from less than 60MW to over 200-400MW within two to three years. These reforms are part of a broader strategy to decentralize power generation, improve reliability, and ensure long-term sustainability of electricity supply across critical public assets.